Improve Performance & UX with Magento 2 Cart Expiration
Did you know that 69.99% of online shopping carts are abandoned? Magento 2 cart expiration ensures shoppers complete their purchase or don’t leave their cart behind.
This article will explore the working, benefits, and best practices of Magento 2 cart expiration.
Key Takeaways
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Magento 2 automatically clears carts after a set time.
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Persistent carts help retain items for logged-in customers.
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Countdown timers and cart expiry notifications boost conversions.
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Stock allocation issues can be prevented by setting cart expiration rules.
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Allowing cart recovery after expiration helps bring back lost sales.
What is Magento 2 Cart Expiration?
Magento 2 cart expiration refers to the automatic removal of items from a customer's shopping cart after a set period of inactivity.
Magento 2 manages this through session timeouts and persistent cart settings. If a session expires, cart items are cleared unless the persistent shopping cart feature is enabled. It allows customers to retain items for future visits.
The mechanism helps prevent abandoned cart clutter and enhance store performance.
Configuring cart expiration settings properly balances user convenience and inventory management. It improves overall customer experience and conversion rates in an e-commerce store.
How Magento 2 Handles Cart Expiration?
1. Session-Based Cart Expiration
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Magento 2 assigns a session ID to every visitor who adds products to the cart. If the user doesn't proceed to checkout, the cart remains active as long as the session is valid.
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The session timeout is controlled by the session.gc_maxlifetime setting in php.ini.
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The default session lifetime is 24 minutes. It can be extended in the Magento admin panel.
2. Persistent Cart Expiration
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Magento 2 allows persistent shopping carts. It retains cart data even after the session expires.
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The expiration time for persistent carts can be configured in days. Customers who log in can see their cart contents even after an extended period.
3. Cart Cleanup via Cron Jobs
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Magento 2 runs a cron job to clear abandoned carts from the Magento database. The cron task responsible for cleaning expired carts is sales_clean_quotes.
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By default, this job removes carts abandoned for 30 days. The expiration period can be customized under quote lifetime.
4. Handling Expired Carts in Database
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Cart data is stored in the database quote table. The system marks inactive carts for deletion based on the quote's updated_at timestamp.
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If users revisit after expiration, their cart is cleared unless Persistent Cart is enabled.
Why Cart Expiration Matters?
| Benefits | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Improves Website Performance | Magento 2 stores cart data in the quote table. Over time, abandoned carts increase the database size. It slows down queries and affects site speed. Automatic cart cleanup via cron jobs prevents unnecessary data buildup. |
| 2. Enhances User Experience | If carts expire too quickly, customers may lose their selected items before checking out. It leads to frustration. Persistent cart helps logged-in users retain their carts. It improves the shopping experience. Guests benefit from configurable session durations that prevent premature cart resets. |
| 3. Prevents Stock Allocation Issues | Magento reserves inventory when a product is added to the cart. If carts never expire, products could remain unavailable for purchase without being bought. Automatic cart expiration frees up inventory for other customers. |
| 4. Reduces Abandoned Cart Rates | Customers may leave the site before completing checkout. A well-configured cart expiration policy allows store owners to send abandoned cart reminders before expiration. They also implement cart recovery emails and offer discounts or incentives to encourage checkout. |
| 5. Maintains Security & Compliance | Keeping carts indefinitely may expose sensitive customer data. GDPR and other privacy laws require businesses to handle user data responsibly. Cart expiration ensures personalized data isn’t stored indefinitely. It helps reduce security risks. |
10 Strategies to Reduce Cart Abandonment Due to Expiration
| Strategies | Why it Matters | How to Implement | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Extend Cart Expiry Time | Short cart expiration times can frustrate shoppers. It is especially true if they need more time to compare options or finalize payment. | Set longer expiration times for carts. This is especially true for registered users. Instead of expiring within 30 minutes, extend it to 24 hours or more. Allow users to save carts for future purchases manually. Provide a session extension option where users can click a button to prolong the expiration window. | Increasing session lifetime ensures carts remain active for longer periods. |
| 2. Enable Persistent Carts | Persistent carts ensure that a shopper’s items remain saved even if they leave the website or close the browser. It helps reduce friction and encourages them to complete the purchase later. | Use cookies or session storage to save carts for non-logged-in users. Encourage account creation by promoting benefits like cart saving and faster checkout. Allow users to resume their last shopping session when they revisit the site. | Enable persistent shopping carts in Magento. |
| 3. Implement Countdown Timers | A sense of urgency can push shoppers to purchase before their cart expires. Countdown timers serve as a visual reminder of limited-time availability. | Display a countdown timer at checkout for products with limited stock or flash sales. Use color contrasts to highlight urgency. Show pop-ups when cart expiration is approaching. | Use Magento's custom JavaScript countdown timers or extensions like "Countdown Timer for Magento 2" to display real-time cart expiration alerts. |
| 4. Send Cart Expiry Notifications | Many customers simply forget about their cart. Automated notifications can remind them before expiration. | Send email reminders with a “Your cart is expiring soon” subject line. Push notifications can be used on desktop and mobile for users who have enabled them. SMS reminders can be effective for high-value carts or time-sensitive deals. | Use extensions like "Abandoned Cart Email for Magento 2" for automated reminders. |
| 5. Allow Cart Recovery | Even after cart expiration, allowing users to restore their items can re-engage them and boost conversions. | Provide a “Restore Cart” button in email reminders. Allow users to re-add expired items with one click upon their return. For logged-in users, enable cart auto-restoration after re-login. | Enable “Restore Last Shopping Cart”. |
| 6. Optimize Checkout Flow | A complicated or lengthy checkout process increases the likelihood of cart abandonment. It is especially true when combined with expiration. | Reduce checkout steps using one-step checkout solutions. Offer guest checkout to avoid forcing registration. Provide auto-fill options for billing and shipping addresses. | Use the Magento One Step Checkout extension. |
| 7. Offer Incentives Before Expiry | A last-minute incentive can encourage users to finalize their purchase rather than letting the cart expire. | Offer a small discount if a user is about to leave. Provide free shipping for checkout completion within a set time. Show pop-ups with a special offer before expiration. | Use Magento 2 Exit-Intent Popups. |
| 8. Implement Browser & App Reminders | On-site notifications re-engage users before they leave. App notifications work well for mobile shoppers. | Use browser pop-ups to alert users of expiring carts. Send push notifications via mobile apps for expiring items. Enable “Continue Shopping” pop-ups when users attempt to exit. | Extensions like “Push Notifications for Magento 2” can be used to automate browser and mobile reminders. |
| 9. Allow Cart Sharing | Allowing users to share their carts makes discussing purchases with family or colleagues easier. It leads to fewer abandoned carts. | Enable a “Share Cart” feature that generates a link to send via email or social media. Allow users to export their cart details as a PDF. Include a “Save for Later” option for deferred purchases. | Use extensions like "Share Cart for Magento 2" to enable cart-sharing functionality. |
| 10. Improve Payment & Security Options | If users are worried about security or lack preferred payment methods, they may abandon their cart before expiration. | Offer multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards and BNPL. Display SSL security badges and trust seals prominently. Provide guest checkout with express payment options. | Use Magento Security Suite to enhance trust. |
7 Best Practices for Managing Cart Expiration in Magento 2
| Best Practices | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Configure Session Lifetime Wisely | Magento 2 cart expiration is linked to session settings. Set an appropriate session timeout to avoid premature cart losses. Adjust session lifetime under Admin Session Lifetime. The recommended session timeout for guest users is 30-60 minutes. |
| 2. Enable Persistent Shopping Cart | Persistent carts allow customers to retain items even after the session expires. It benefits logged-in users who may return later to complete purchases. Set Persistence Lifetime to 30+ days for better cart retention. |
| 3. Set an Optimal Quote Lifetime | Magento 2 automatically removes inactive carts after a specific period. The default quote lifetime is 30 days. It can be adjusted. Modify this setting under quote lifetime. Reduce quote lifetime for fast-moving inventory to prevent stock issues. |
| 4. Optimize Cart Cleanup with Cron Jobs | Magento runs a cron job to remove expired carts. Ensure the cron job is enabled and running correctly. Check it via the Admin Panel or the command line. |
| 5. Implement Abandoned Cart Recovery Emails | Send reminder emails before carts expire to recover lost sales. Use Magento’s built-in abandoned cart email feature. Offer incentives, including discounts and free shipping, to encourage completion. |
| 6. Prevent Inventory Lockups | Magento reserves stock when a product is added to a cart. If carts never expire, inventory remains blocked for other buyers. Enable Automatic Stock Reallocation in Stores. |
| 7. Test Expiration Settings Regularly | Simulate cart behavior by adding items and checking how long they persist. You should also test guest vs. logged-in user cart retention. Monitor checkout drop-off rates in Google Analytics. |
FAQs
1. How do I configure a persistent shopping cart in Magento 2 Commerce?
Go to Stores > Configuration > Customers > Persistent Shopping Cart and enable the persistent shopping cart option. Select the checkbox to save items in the cart and recently ordered items. Apply group membership and segmentation across store views. Users can restore their cart after login, improving the eCommerce experience.
2. What happens to items left in the cart when a session ends?
If a session ends, items in the cart are cleared unless the persistent cookie is enabled. Magento 2 saves the information of logged-in users. It allows them to retain their cart after logging in again. Guest users lose their cart unless persistent shopping cart data is enabled.
3. Can I use a cart price rule to boost sales in Magento 2?
Magento 2 allows you to create a cart price rule under Marketing > Promotions. It helps offer discounts based on customers' group membership and currently compares products. It helps increase sales and improve customer retention.
4. How does Magento 2 handle shopping cart data for logged-in users?
When a customer logs in, Magento 2 saves the information of their shopping cart data. These include recently viewed products and frequently asked questions. It ensures their cart is saved when the session ends. It allows them to continue shopping smoothly.
Summary
Magento 2 cart expiration automatically removes items from a cart after a set period of inactivity, preventing database clutter. The article explores the workings of the expiration, including:
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Cart data is cleared once the session times out unless extended.
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Retains items for logged-in users beyond session expiration.
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Magento automatically removes abandoned carts after a set duration.
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Frees up stock, improves speed, and ensures compliance with data privacy laws.
Ensure smooth cart management and optimal store performance with managed Magento hosting.
